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London Opera Festival in jeopardy

3 June 2013, London, UK

Rostov State Opera's 'Madama Butterfly'

The London Opera Festival looks set for cancellation, with organiser International Opera Productions (IOP) now in liquidation proceedings.

The Festival, planned in association with the Financial Times, is scheduled to take place at the Tower of London between 9 and 13 September, featuring black-tie performances of Madama Butterfly by the Rostov State Opera.

A spokesperson from the Tower of London said: ‘We are disappointed to learn of the liquidation of International Opera Productions. Recent conversations with the company suggested advance ticket sales were being well received.’

The UK’s Event website reported that a total of 600 guests have already booked for the Festival, amounting to revenues of approximately £275,000.

IOP’s chief executive, Christopher Palmer-Jeffries, told Event: ‘This is a very upsetting situation for all concerned. The London Opera Festival concept was extremely well received by potential sponsors and clients in the City. However, owing to the unexpected 'triple-dip' recession, the sales have not been resultant and I was forced to make the difficult decision of appointing liquidators.’